Liverpool Bid Big for Bayern's Olise as Salah Exit Looms

Liverpool have reportedly lodged a significant bid for Bayern Munich's Michael Olise as they prepare for the possibility of Mohamed Salah's summer departure, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

The Egyptian winger's position at Anfield has become increasingly precarious following a fractious few months with manager Arne Slot. Tensions surfaced publicly in December when Salah felt scapegoated during a dip in form, finding himself benched for stretches of play. The relationship between player and manager appears strained at best, though both parties have maintained a professional facade until season's end.

With Salah's contract set to expire in less than 18 months, Liverpool's hierarchy has apparently concluded that a summer sale represents the most pragmatic path forward. Interest from Saudi Arabia and American clubs continues to circle, adding further pressure to the situation.

The Reds' recruitment department have zeroed in on Olise as their primary target to fill the void, convinced the French winger's attributes would integrate seamlessly into their system. Bayern Munich are said to be demanding around €200m (£175m) for the former Premier League talent, though the Bavarian club have little incentive to negotiate—Olise is viewed as integral to their project.

To bridge the financial gap, Liverpool are considering a creative solution: packaging Cody Gakpo alongside their cash offer. The Dutch international has endured a testing campaign and could represent a useful bargaining chip. The proposal would see Gakpo provide Bayern with immediate attacking depth whilst allowing Liverpool to reduce their outright expenditure without decimating their budget.

Former Liverpool winger Mark Kennedy has been scathing about Salah's current trajectory, dismissing him as yesterday's player despite acknowledging his extraordinary statistical output. Speaking on talkSPORT, Kennedy highlighted concerning issues with Salah's possession retention and general off-ball work, suggesting these deficiencies have compounded Liverpool's broader goal-scoring drought this season.

The numbers paint a damning picture: Salah plundered 29 Premier League goals last term but has managed just four this campaign. Kennedy's broader point—that Salah's recent public comments, whilst potentially justified, have become a distraction—underscores how completely the narrative around the winger has shifted at Anfield. What once seemed unthinkable now appears increasingly inevitable.